Electric can opener with removable hand lever and frame-engaging pin assembly

ABSTRACT

An electrically powered can opener has a cutter wheel carrying hand lever pivotally attached to its forward upright frame by an elongate pin member, said pin member having a transverse locking bar fixedly attached to the inner end portion thereof for engaging an inner portion of the frame. The pin member is rotatably mounted within a portion of the hand lever and has a pivot arm extending therefrom. The pivot arm is movable between a locked and a release position; the release position allowing said transverse locking bar to align with a keyed bearing opening in the upright frame so that the pin member and hand lever may be withdrawn from the upright frame.

United States Patent Scott et al.

[151 3,646,1571 [451 Mar. 7, 12972 [541 ELECTRIC CAN OPENER WITH REMOVABLE HAND LEVER AND FRAME-ENGAGING PIN ASSEMBLY [72] Inventors: Robert J. Scott, Blue Springs, Mo.; Leo F. Prim y Examin r-Theron E- Condon Aberer, Shawnee, K Assistant Examiner-Kenneth Ramsey Attorney-Scofield, Kokjer, Scofield & Lowe [73] Assrgnee: Rival Manufacturing Company, Kansas City, Mo. [57] ABSTRACT Filed! 1969 An electrically powered can opener has a cutter wheel carrying hand lever pivotally attached to its forward upright frame [21] Appl' 886576 by an elongate pin member, said pin member having a transverse locking bar fixedly attached to the inner end portion [52] US. Cl. .3014 R, 30/9 h r of for engaging an inner portion of the frame. The pin [51] I t, (I B671, 7/33 member is rotatably mounted within a portion of the hand 58 Field of Search ..30/4, 8.5, 9; 24/221 R, 221 A lever and has a Pivot arm extending therefrom The Pivot arm is movable between a locked and a release position; the [56] References Cited release position allowing said transverse locking bar to align with a keyed bearing opening in the upright frame so that the UNITED STATES PATENTS pin member and hand lever may be withdrawn from the upright frame. 3,487,542 1/1970 Hamwr et al ..30/4 3,423,825 1/1969 Frost et al ..30/4 8Clatms, 6Drawmg' Figures /8b (Md (,6

/4 y f? G O l m l2 l0 PATENTEDMAR 1 m2 3,646,671

INVENTORJ.

j v Q Lea f. fiber BACKGROUND AND BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The importance of maintaining permanently attached cutting elements on electrically powered can openers sanitary and clean is fully discussed in the Robert J. Scott patent application entitled REMOVABLE HAND LEVER CON- STRUCTION now U.S. Pat. No. 3,520,056, which issued June 14, 1970, and which is owned by the same assignee.

The invention disclosed herein utilizes the conventional pin assembly on lever-operated powered can openers in a unique manner to permit the removal of the hand lever, carrying the cutting element, to be accomplished. The unique construction includes rotatively mounting the pin assembly which includes the can guide and the rearwardly extending pin member and the conventional portion of the hand lever. A circular collar is located between the can guide portion of the pin assembly and the outer surface of the hand lever with a reduced diameter shaft extending through the selectively sized aperture in the hand lever. The pin member extends inwardly from a pivot arm collar which is weldedly connected to the reduced diameter shaft of the can guide and separated from the inner surface of the hand lever by a circular leaf spring. The inner end extremity of an increased diameter pin member (relative to the can guide) has a locking bar extending transverse to the axis of same and which is suitably sized to mate with a keyed bearing aperture in the can opener frame so that the pin member and locking bar may slide interiorly of the frame when properly aligned. With the locking bar located interiorly of the can opener frame, the pivot arm (integrally formed in the pivot arm collar) may be moved to a locked position thereby rotating the locking bar out of registration with the keyed opening in the frame. As a result, the bar now bears against the inner surface of the embossed portion of the frame (describing the bearing opening therein) thereby precluding the removal of the hand lever. A second leaf spring bears against the locking bar further fixedly locating the locking bar when the lever is operatively positioned within the frame.

When it is desired to remove the hand lever from the frame, the pivot arm is rotated to the release position which locates the locking bar in registration with the keyway portion of the bearing opening in the frame boss. In this position, the pin member and locking bar may be withdrawn from the frame thereby permitting the removal of the lever.

One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide in the can opener of the type wherein the cutting element is carried by and moved into and out ofa cutting position by a hand lever assembly substantially pivoted to the body or frame of a can opener, a readily removable can-piercing hand lever assembly which is releasably retained within the can opener frame by a uniquely constructed pin assembly.

Another object of the invention is to provide a readily removable can-piercing hand lever assembly having a uniquely constructed pin member which insures proper lever spacing with respect to the frame and precludes inadvertent frame disengagement by the pin member.

A further object of the invention is to provide a can opener having a readily removable can piercing hand lever with a uniquely constructed pin assembly which is movably positioned by a pivot arm located exteriorly of the can opener frame in order to rotate the pin member facilitating the release of the pin member and the hand lever from its fixed position with respect to the can opener frame.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a can opener having a removable can-piercing hand lever which includes a uniquely constructed pin member cooperating with the can opener frame so that the can-piercing hand lever may be removed from the frame without pivotally moving same with respect thereto. This feature allows the lever assembly to be removed even ifa can were inoperably lodged between the feed wheel and the cutting element.

L 2 Other and further objects of the invention will appear in the course of the following description thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of the specification and is to be read in conjunction therewith, and in which like reference numerals are employed to indicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevational view of a poweroperated can opener with a removable can-piercing lever assembly and with the operating parts shown in the normal operating or at rest position with portions of the lever broken away to shown the pivot arm in the locked or solid line position and in the release or broken line position;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of a portion of the can opener upright frame and the lever assembly of FIG. 1 showing a leaf spring engaging the rearward end portion of the pin member-locking lbar combination in the lever retaining position;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the frame and lever assembly shown in FIG. 2 with the pivot arm in the locked or retained position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 with the locking arm shown pivoted to the release position;

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the inner surface of a portion of the hand lever showing the pivot arm movable between the solid line or locked position and the release or broken line position; and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 6- 6 of FIG. 3 in the direction of the arrows.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, reference numeral 10 generally designates a body or frame of a typical electrically operated can opener. The principal portion of the frame, shown in the various views, is adapted to cooperate with an open front boxlike casing and operates to support the various parts of the can opener.

A serrated or toothed rotary feed wheel 11 is operatively located on the forward side of the frame 10. A feed wheel drive shaft 12 ex ends through frame 10 and is rotatably supported in an appropriately bearinged aperture in a thickened portion of frame 10. An electric motor means (not shown) rotates shaft 12 and drives feed wheel 11 in a conventional manner. l

A pivotally mogunted can-piercing hand lever 13 is located forwardly of the frame 10 so as to provide a movable support for cutter wheel I4 which is mounted for free rotation on the usual stud or arbor anchored in lever 13 and held thereon by screw 15. Hand lever 13 has an elongate pin assembly extending through a suitable aperture in the lower left-hand portion of the lever (see,FIG. l) and is sized to permit the rotative movement of the lever about same.

As best seen inl FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, the forward or outwardly extending portiori of the pin assembly includes a cylindrical rodlike projection 16 which functions as a can guide. Circular collar 17 is welder}! to can guide 16 and is located intermediate the can guide l6 and the outer surface of hand lever 13. A shaft portion, similar in diameter to the can guide 16, then extends through the suitably sized aperture in hand lever 13 and is fixedly connected with a pivot arm collar 18 and with an increased diameter, cylindrical pin member 19. A circular leaf spring 20 is interposed between the inner surface of hand lever 13 and the forward surface of the pivot arm collar 18. This spring flexibly draws forward collar 17 flush against the forward surface of hand lever 13 for the proper positioning of same with respec to the cutter wheel and the feed wheel during normal operation thereof.

The rearward lend extremity of increased diameter pin member 19 has a locking bar 21 weldedly attached transverse to the longitudinal centerline of the pin assembly. The locking bar is appropriately shaped and sized so that the end portions thereof extend beyond the cylindrical surface of pin member 19 and provide a frame boss engaging surface when the locking bar is in the locked position. To complete the description of the pin assembly, the pivot arm 18a extends outwardly from pivot arm collar 18 and has a flanged end portion 18b extending forwardly of hand lever 13. In this manner, the pivot arm may be manually engaged and moved between the solid line and broken line positions shown in F IGS. l and 5 thereby rotating the entire pin assembly within the apertures in hand lever 13 and frame 10.

As suggested above, the pivot arm 18a may be moved between a locked and a release position so that the lever assembly is respectively retained within frame or may be withdrawn from frame 10. In this regard, frame 10 has a rearwardly extending boss 100 which contains the combination bearing opening and keyway slot generally indicated by the numeral 10b (see FIGS. 5 and 6). This slot will accommodate the end portions of locking bar 21 (which extend beyond the outer surface of pin member 19) when same are aligned to register therewith so that the pin member and locking'bar may be slidably moved within combination bearing opening 10b and keyways.

When pivot arm 18a is rotated to the solid line position shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the exposed surface of the end portions of locking bar 21 contact the rearward end extremity of boss 10a, thereby precluding withdrawal of pin member 19 from its locked position on frame 10. Of course, the longitudinal dimension of the pin member 19 is such that its end extremity is substantially adjacent the end extremity of boss 10a so that locking bar 21 is free to be rotated relative thereto.

In order to insure that locking bar 21. remains secure in the locked position which precludes removal of the pin member 19 from the frame, a second leaf spring 22 yieldably engages the rearward surface of same. Spring 22 is mounted on the rear surface of frame 10 by means of a conventional screw 22a which extends through a suitable aperture in spring 22 and threadably engages the rearwardly extending boss 100. The spring extends upwardly from its fixed end connection with the frame and forcibly engages the rear end extremity of locking bar at its free end thereof. This spring upper end portion has been structured to form groove 22!; therein which is properly angled so that when pivot arm 18a is moved to the locked position, it is aligned with the angulation of the locking bar and yieldably maintains the said locking bar in the locked position. Of course, hand lever 13 pivotally moves about the pin assembly and is fully operable without any movement whatsoever of the pin member 19 itself.

As a further convenience, the forwardly extending bosses 10d and 10s limit the swinging movement of the pivot arm. For instance, with pivot arm 18a moved to the solid line position shown in FIG. 1, its upper right-hand surface contacts the lower left-hand surface of boss 10d. This position is the locked position and precludes lever disengagement from frame 10. When the pivot arm 18a is moved to the broken line position, its lower edge contacts the upper surface of boss 10e and is the proper member position for aligned registration of the locking bar 21 with keyways 10b, thereby pennitting the locking bar and the pin member to be withdrawn from its position interiorly of frame 10 and its associated boss 10a.

In a similar manner, reassembling of the hand lever on frame 10 is easily facilitated by swinging pivot arm 18a to its proper position (broken line position of FIG. 1) and sliding the pin member-locking bar end interiorly of the bearing opening keyway 10b. Pivot arm 18a is then rotated upwardly to the solid line position and the can opener is again ready for operation.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all of the ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which are obvious and which are inherent to the structure.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.

As many possible embodiments may be made of the inven- 'wheel and means for rotating said feed wheel, the combination therewithof a hand lever carrying a cutting element thereon, means for movably supporting said hand lever on said frame, said means including a bearing opening in one of said hand lever and frame, and a pin member in the other of said lever and frame,

means located on said pin member for retaining said lever on said frame, and

means operable independent of said lever and interconnected with said pin member for rotating said pin member and retaining means to a preselected position relative to said opening to permit the axial separation of said pin member from said opening and removal of said lever from said frame.

2. The combination as in claim 1 wherein said rotating means includes a pivot arm connected to said pin member, said pivot arm extending exteriorly of said frame and operable to rotate said pin member relative to both said opening and said lever.

3. The combination as in claim 2 wherein said retaining means includes a bar member fixedly attached to one end of said pin member, .said bearing opening having a shape corresponding to that of the combination of the pin member and bar member so that when said members are in registration with said opening said lever may be removed from said frame.

4. The combination as in claim 3 wherein said can opener includes a means resiliently contacting said bar member for locating said bar member in a preselected position with respect to said frame.

5. The combination as in claim 1 wherein said pin member is connected to said hand lever and extends therefrom for positioning within said bearing opening located in said frame, said pin member being rotatable with respect to said hand lever.

6. The combination as in claim 1 wherein said rotating means includes a pivot arm connected to said pin member and having at least a portion extending exteriorly of said frame, said pivot arm operable to facilitate the manual rotation of said pin member relative to both said opening and said lever, said retaining means having a bar member located on one end of said pin member, and means resiliently contactingsaid bar member for locating said bar member in a preselected position with respect to said frame.

7. The combination as in claim 6 wherein said bearing opening has a shape corresponding to that of the combined pin member and bar member, said members being rotatable to a preselected position by said pivot arm thereby registering with said opening and permitting the removal of said lever from said frame.

8. The combination as in claim 7 wherein said bar member contacting means includes a spring member contacting said bar member and urging same against a portion of said frame.

it i 1K k 

1. A can opener having an upright frame, a rotary feed wheel and means for rotating said feed wheel, the combination therewith of a hand lever carrying a cutting element thereon, means for movably supporting said hand lever on said frame, said means including a bearing opening in one of said hand lever and frame, and a pin member in the other of said lever and frame, means located on said pin member for retaining said lever on said frame, and means operable independent of said lever and interconnected with said pin member for rotating said pin member and retaining means to a preselected position relative to said opening to permit the axial separation of said pin member from said opening and removal of said lever from said frame.
 2. The combination as in claim 1 wherein said rotating means includes a pivot arm connected to said pin member, said pivot arm extending exteriorly of said frame and operable to rotate said pin member relative to both said opening and said lever.
 3. The combination as in claim 2 wherein said retaining means includes a bar member fixedly attached to one end of said pin member, said bearing opening having a shape corresponding to that of the combination of the pin member and bar member so that when said members are in registration with said opening said lever may be removed from said frame.
 4. The combination as in claim 3 wherein said can opener includes a means resiliently contacting said bar member for locating said bar member in a preselected position with respect to said frame.
 5. The combination as in claim 1 wherein said pin member is connected to said hand lever and extends therefrom for positioning within said bearing opening located in said frame, said pin member being rotatable with respect to said hand lever.
 6. The combination as in claim 1 wherein said rotating means includes a pivot arm connected to said pin member and having at least a portion extending exteriorly of said frame, said pivot arm operable to facilitate the manual rotation of said pin member relative to both said opening and said lever, said retaining means having a bar member located on one end of said pin member, and means resiliently contacting said bar member for locating said bar member in a preselected position with respect to said frame.
 7. The combination as in claim 6 wherein said bearing opening has a shape corresponding to that of the combined pin member and bar member, said members being rotatable to a preselected position by said pivot arm thereby registering with said opening and permitting the removal of said lever from said frame.
 8. The combination as in claim 7 wherein said bar member contacting means includes a spring member contacting said bar member and urging same against a portion of said frame. 